Every now and then, it’s good to get some validation. A few weeks back, I posited that Cep Rosé (brought to you by the Peay Vineyards team) was the best domestic Rosé on the market. It was my go-to pink last summer, and this year’s release is also stellar. This past Sunday, at Cochon555, two different wine pros who were trying this wine for the first time, came to me afterwards, and said, “Have you tried the Cep Rosé? It’s really good!” That says a lot, especially given the number of great wines being poured at the event. The domestic Rosé market is flooded with wines striving to be nothing more than simple summer sippers. But the Cep has some serious acidity, which allows it to hold up with food. At the $20-odd dollar price point, it’s a must buy. Both Bi-Rite Market and Arlequin Wine in SF have carried this wine in the past.
Before getting to this week’s events, I wanted to alert you to an upcoming case sale at Cheese Plus (2001 Polk Street (at Pacific)). From June 17-19, get 20% off a mixed case of wine from Greg Borden’s hand picked selection, which includes Puzelat, Chidaine, Texier, Selection Massale imports, La Clarine Farms, Hirsch Vineyard’s Bohan Dillon Pinot, and the Occhipinti Frappato (to name a few). Cheese Plus has become one of my favorite places to stock up on wine, and I hope you’ll make it there for this sale. Cheese Plus is also hosting a tasty Artisan Food Festival this Saturday from 10am – 4pm — great way to preview what you may want to add to your case next week!
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Tues., June 7: Oddero at Acquarello (Financial District)
Acquarello
2000 Union Street
San Francisco, CA
6:30pm – $170 (not incl. tax and tip)
Call 415.567.5432 to reserve.
Join legendary Barolo producer Oddero and owner Cristina Oddero for a night of the old and new, featuring:
- 2006 and 1999 Barolo
- 2006 and 1999 Roche di Castiglione
- 2004 and 1998 Mondoca di Bussia
- 1996 Vigna Rionda di Serralunga
(lineup is tentative).
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Wed., June 8: Oddero Wine Dinner @ Farina (Mission)
Farina
3560 18th Street
San Francisco, CA
5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Missed Tuesday’s Oderro event? Here’s a second bite at the apple — Farina celebrates its fourth birthday with a special menu and Oddero wine pairing on Wednesday. Full menu and pairing options here.
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Thurs., June 9: Burgundy Tasting at Arlequin (Hayes Valley)
Arlequin Wine Merchants
384 Hayes Street
San Francisco, CA
6:00pm – 8:00pm – $15
Don’t know what the line-up is just yet. but the past two Burgundy tastings at Arlequin have been total winners. I’ll update the page later in the week with the wines being poured.
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Fri., June 10: Kermit Lynch Italian Wine Tasting @ Vintage Berkeley (Berkeley)
Vintage Berkeley
2113 Vine Street
Berkeley, CA
7:00pm – 8:30pm – $5
12 Italian wines for $5. Yup. You heard me right. A dozen pours from small producers mainly from Piedmont, Liguria, Veneto, and Tuscany for less than an In-N-Out double-double. Get some.
- 2009 Punta Crena Lumassina
- 2009 Punta Crena Cruvin Rosso
- 2010 Corte Gardoni Custoza
- 2010 Corte Gardoni Chiaretto
- Sommariva Prosecco (from Magnum)
- 2010 Corte Gardoni Bardolino “Le Fontane”
- 2009 Corte Gardoni Becco Rosso
- 2009 La Pergola Monferrato Rosso
- 2009 Guido Porro Barbera d’Alba
- 2006 Geggiano Chianti Classico
- 2008 Sesti Monteleccio
- 2008 Sesti Rosso di Montalcino
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Sat., June 11: Pink Party @ Solano Cellars (East Bay)
Solano Cellars
1580 Solano Avenue
Albany, CA
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – $20 (tix here)
A full selection of rosés from around the world, selected by the good folks at Solano Cellars. Now that sounds like a worthy way to spend a summer weekend. And here’s an added bonus: people wearing pink will get a $5 credit towards the rosé of their choice (one side note: the event organizers have stated that this is limited to people “wearing pink outer garments,” so save the pink boxers for another occasion).
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Mon., June 13: Neyers Vineyard Winemaker Dinner at Cafe des Amis (Cow Hollow)
Cafe Des Amis
2000 Union Street
San Francisco, CA
7:00pm – $110 (not incl. tax and tip)
Call 415.563.7700 to reserve.
Join winemaker Tadeo Borchardt from Neyers Vineyard for a multi-course meal paired with wines. 6 wines / 5 courses. Full menu available here: Neyers and Cafe des Amis winemaker’s dinner.
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Mon., June 13: Taste of Mendocino (Ft. Mason)
Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA
5:00pm – 8:00pm – $35 (tix here)
As you may have gathered, I have been a fan of wines from Anderson Valley for some time now. But Mendocino County has a lot more to offer than just great wine. Thankfully for us city folk the Mendocino Winegrape and Wine Commission and Visit Mendocino County are bringing the bounty to SF next monday. Craft brewers, cheese makers, and other food producers from Mendo will round out the 50+ wineries who will be pouring at the event.
Better yet, the organizers have adopted a mobile POS system, allowing attendees to purchase wines on the spot.
SF Wine Blog 
June 12, 2011 at 2:02 pm
thanks for the big ups John. If any of you have any questions about the wine sale or the selection here at Cheese Plus feel free to shoot me an email at greg@cheeseplus.com or twitter me @greg_borden